Center will get new cafe

OGDENSBURG — The city is eyeing a local business to fill the concession stand at the Dobisky Visitor Center.

The Ogdensburg City Council will vote Monday on whether to approve a three-year lease agreement with North Country Food Services, headed by Tony and Ann Seldomridge of Rensselaer Falls, to sell hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, wine and ice cream at the center under the name Seaway Cafe and Catering.

"Hopefully it's going to be a big draw," Parks and Recreation Director Philip C. Clemens said. "It's in the middle of a great location because of the (Riverview) towers, the pool and the marina."

The city has been looking for vendors to use the kitchen and patio overlooking the St. Lawrence River since the center opened in 2007.

With construction on the parking lot and landscaping around the center coming to a close, adding a vendor will be a final step in fulfilling the development plans, City Manager Arthur J. Sciorra said.

"There's room for a lot more business and the more business we have, the more people we attract," he said. "It's part of the efforts to bring more vibrancy to the Greenbelt district."

The city received four proposals to operate the concession stand at the visitors center, but selected North Country Food Services because of its experience, according to city officials.

If approved, the lease agreement will begin in May and rent will be 3.5 percent of the vendor's gross profits.

According to Mr. Sciorra, the business will cater to the boating and fishing crowd by offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and picnic baskets for boaters.

Mr. Seldomridge declined to comment.